Above and beyond
November 11, 2024
Rob Kulhanek
Foxfeather Zenkova examines a great horned owl nestling
Foxfeather Zenkova examines a great horned owl nestling. | Photo by Anthony Baffo

How is The Raptor Center (TRC) able to treat and release birds from all across Minnesota and some of the neighboring states? Well, in addition to dedicated staff and fiercely passionate volunteer corps, TRC can treat birds far and wide because of the invaluable network of permitted, independent wildlife rehabilitators helping to save wildlife across the region.

One such rockstar rehabilitator has helped save the lives of 18 raptors so far this year by performing triage for TRC before coordinating transportation for each bird to its hospital. Foxfeather Zenkova has been performing wildlife rehabilitation and paying for it out of her own pocket for six years.

Foxfeather treats raptors and a variety of other birds in need, caring for an impressive caseload with limited but growing resources. Additionally, she performs critical triage for many other species such as squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, foxes, and even deer who then make their way to wildlife hospitals around the state.

An eastern screech owl nestling receiving radiographs at TRC
An eastern screech owl nestling receives radiographs (X-rays) at TRC after being transported by Foxfeather. | Photo by Anthony Baffo

Foxfeather has increased her work with TRC over the past few years as a Partners for Wildlife (P4W) fellow, getting the opportunity to participate in workshops, access a network of rehabilitators and veterinarians for professional support, and expand her rehabilitation operation. P4W is a privately and generously funded grant initiative at TRC providing expert partnership in professional and educational support.

Through P4W, Foxfeather and other rehabilitators have received grant support that allows them to strengthen their independent operations, often started in their own homes. Foxfeather recently began renovating her homestead clinic into a more sustainable operation to better support the life-saving care she provides wildlife.

Through partnerships such as this, the care that wildlife has access to is increasing and so are the stories of successful releases back into the wild. TRC is thankful for passionate and selfless wildlife rehabilitators like Foxfeather who make it possible to continue growing its work to save raptors and the world we share with them.

Raptors in this article